Centrifugal device



Patented p ,1926.

. a view showing in CHARLES R. BEALL, OF SNISSVALE, PE

ivivsYLvANiA,

Assisnoit TO. I THE nivioiv' SWITCH 82; SIGNAL COMIEANY, OF SWISSVALE,PENNSYLVANIA, .A-CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

CENTRIFUGAL nnvicn.

Application filed Mach 13, 1923. Serial no. 24,872.

My invention relates to centrifugal devices, and particularlyto devicesof the'type inwhich a member is controlled in accordance with the speedof a rotatng shaft by centrifugal force.

, I will describe one form of centrifugaldevice embodying my invention,and will then point out the novel featuresthereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1,is front elevation one form ofcentrifugal device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view onthe line IIII of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a top view of the centrifugal deviceshown in Figs. 1 and 2.

' Similar reference characters refer tov similar parts in each of thethree views.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character B represents atubular shaft; or spindle which may be caused to rotate by means notessential to the complete disclosure of my invention and omitted fromthe drawings forthe sake of simplicity. Upwardly extending from thisspindle are three yokes 2 each of which terminates in two fingers 3 and4: between which a member I-I s supported by a pin 6. Each member Hcomprises a weight H, and a projecting arm 8 terminating in a ball 7. "When the spindle B is rotated centrifugal force tends to throw weightsI-I away from the axis of rotation, thus raising these weights anddepressing the arms 8 and balls 7. shaft 16 inserted in spindle B is acylindrical bloc-k D provided with an annular groove 20 one side ofwhich is formed by abearing plate 15 or some wear resisting material.The balls 7 rotate in this groove 20 and when depressed they engage thebearing plate 15 and move block D downwardly. The outer race 13 of aball bearing K is rigidly fastened to block D by means of an expandingring 14 in a suitable recess in the top of the block. A verticallyextending link E is secured to the inner race 12 of bearing K bymeans ofa screw 11.

The upper end of link E is pivotally connected to an arm F which isattached to a bar A. Theends of this bar are upturned and are providedwith pivot studs A by means of which the bar may be pivotally mounted toswing in trunnion screws M. The bar A is also providedwith two weights53; By virtue of the force of gravity Attached to a hollow these weightsthe l mechanism is'biased to a: fQOSitlOl'iWllElGlIl the right hand"side'of bar A as viewed in Fig.2 is tipped upward. It V will be seenthat movements of the three weights H" away its trunnion screws M in aclockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2 against the bias exerted byweights 0. This'movement of the bar may be employed to accomplish anydesired result. It will beobserved that sincethe balls 7 operate freelyin a continuous groove the I from the longitudinal axis of sp ndle Bwill'cause bar A toqrotate in wear on these parts is evenly distributedand not concentrated at any single point.

In my invcntionblock D either may or may.

not turn with the spindle B depending on whether the friction betweenthe balls 7. and A the bearing plate 15 is greater or less than thefriction of the'ball bearing K. Excessive wear of the moving partssometimes results from the lack of concentricity between the I blockDand the spindle B. In my invention I make the bearing plate 15saucer-shaped, that is having its outside edge higher than its morecentral portions. The result of this is that when the three centrifugalarms H force the balls 7 into engagement with this plate face, thetendency of the block isto assume a position in which its vertical axiscoinides with the axis of rotation of the spin-- dle B. I

With only the apparatus scribed the centrifuge device being rotated ineither direction. In order to prevent rotation in one direction Iconstruct the finger 4 of each yoke 2 of spindle B in such manner thatit will extend further above the point of attachment of centrifuge arm Hthan finger 3 of the corresponding yoke as best shown in Fig. 1. I'alsoprovide a pawl device G on the bar A which comprises a suitable support10 carrying. a spring arrangement comprising two fingers 50 and 9 ofthin spring material. This pawl G is so disposed that when the bar A isin the position corresponding to the position of rest of weights H, thespring finger 50 of 'pawl G engages with the fingers 4 to prevent rottion of spindle B in one direction, namely, in a clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 3. As the spindle B. rotated in the opposite directionspring as sf thus far ole-' is capable of pawl a? is flexed by eachsuccessive till the speed of the device reaches a value at which the.centrifugal force on Weight H tips bar A on its pivots a suflicientamount to move the pawl device Completely outof the path of the fingers4. In other Words, When The centrifugal device'is rotatingcounter-clockwise as seen in Fig. 3, the pawl springs do not touch thefingers 4 after a small velocity hasthen offers been attained so thatthe device no-resistance to. the rotation of spindle B is'noi'seless. IC jentritugal. devices of the type described lac/rein are particularlyWell adapted for,

though in no Way limited to application in nailgway signaling; relayscomprising a mov. h e y,

.be made therein Withinthe scope of the ap- Havingthus described myinvention, what- I claim is 1. In combination, a rotatable spindlehaving three upstanding fingers, :1 block, inea nsoperably connectedWith said fingers for moving said block in response to the speed of saidspindle, an auxiliary member normally biased to aposition in the path ofsaid 'fingers and means operably connected with said block'fo-r moving,said nemlger away from such position. I

2. In combination, a rotatable spindle, a

block H three members operably connected with said spindle and havingprogeoting arms terminating inloalls adapted toje'nter said groove andthe positions Of lf1lC-l1 aredependent upon thespeed oat said, spindle,andf'a pawl levicecontrolled sai'dflolock for preventing rotationvof;said spindle in onefdirection. I in testimony whereof I aflix mysignature.

CHARLES "BEALIQ.

having an annular groove therein.

